In a landmark defence agreement, Russia has agreed to sell four advanced Mi-35 ‘Hind E’ combat helicopters to Pakistan. Both countries were negotiating the deal for the past year. Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif visited Russia in June, after which a draft contract for the delivery of four Mi-35M ‘Hind E’ combat helicopters was sent to Pakistan from Russia. Late last year, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu undertook a visit to Pakistan to discuss bilateral defence cooperation with the Pakistani leadership.
Points to Note
- The Mi-35 helicopter is an exceedingly modernised version of the Mi-24 (Hind) combat helicopter with new onboard equipment and avionics.
- The Mi-35 is a multi-role combat helicopter manufactured by Rostvertol, a subsidiary of Russian Helicopters.
- The Mi-24/25/35 family, with capabilities of landing and transporting up to eight paratroopers, is in current use by the Russian, Brazilian, Venezuelan and Azerbaijani armed forces.
- It can be modified as an attack, ground assault, medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) or transport platform.
- The helicopter can fly at a maximum speed of 310 km/h. Its operational altitude is 5,400m.
- It also has a more powerful engine and a different tail rotor.
Facts about Pakistan
- The name Pakistan, Pak (pure) and stan (land) means ‘land of the pure’ in the Persian and Urdu languages.
- Pakistan manufactures more than 50% of World’s hand-sewed footballs.
- Gwadar port is the largest deep sea port in the world. It is a warm-water, deep-sea port situated on the Arabian Sea at Gwadar in Balochistan province of Pakistan.
- Karakoram Highway has been constructed at a height of 15,397 ft between China and Pakistan. It is one of the popular tourist attraction in the region.
- Khewara Salt Mines are the world’s second largest and Pakistan’s oldest salt mines. It was discovered by Alexander’s troops in 320 B.C
- Pakistan became the first Islamic country to become Nuclear Power on 28th May 1998.
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